Dozens of families want answers after a long-standing Mississauga private school announced it is being forced to close following a zoning issue with the City of Mississauga.
Parents of students at ABC Montessori on Matheson Boulevard East say they are shocked and outraged to learn the school, which has operated in the community for more than 25 years, has been told to cease operations as early as June 19. This means parents of about 150 students will have to find alternative education options for September.
The parents argue the closure has created uncertainty for students, disrupted classroom learning and placed significant pressure on working families who built childcare arrangements and daily routines around the school. They are also questioning why the school was permitted to operate for decades before facing what they describe as an abrupt enforcement timeline.
A Montessori school is a student-centred educational environment based on the philosophy of innovative educator Dr. Maria Montessori. It emphasizes hands-on learning, self-paced individual growth, and mixed-age classrooms. Rather than traditional lectures and grades, teachers act as guides to foster independence and a lifelong love of learning.
Tuition for the school year is about $11,000.
The issue drew some parents to a rally outside the school on Friday, where they called for greater transparency and a transition plan that would allow children to complete their education with minimal disruption.
However, city officials say the enforcement action stems from a planning matter that has been left unaddressed for too long.
According to the City of Mississauga, the school has been operating without zoning approval since 2016. The city says it eventually initiated enforcement after receiving a complaint and conducting a review of the property.
It is believed the complaint stems from a parking issue where the school is located.
Schools are generally prohibited in the area because of airport-related land-use restrictions tied to flight paths along Matheson that serve Toronto Pearson International Airport. Educational facilities are not permitted under current zoning regulations due to concerns related to aircraft noise and compatibility with surrounding land uses.
The school had previously operated through a series of temporary planning approvals. Records indicate minor variances allowing the school to continue operating were repeatedly approved until 2011, when the city appealed a further extension request.
The matter was subsequently considered by the Ontario Municipal Board, now known as the Ontario Land Tribunal. The board ultimately allowed the school to remain at its existing location for an additional five years but determined no further extensions would be granted.
That decision effectively set a 2016 end date for the school’s planning approvals; however, the school continued to operate.
Owners of ABC Montessori have said they have not been able to find a suitable site for a relocation of the school, and at this point, closing is the only option if they cannot continue at the current site.
Parents who spoke to INsauga.com praised the learning environment at ABC Montessori for its skilled teaching staff and administrators who are committed to high-quality education.
“I’ve had two children at the school, and the results have been terrific,” said one parent. “This is what makes the issue so frustrating. It’s not about the closing of a building; it’s about the loss of a first-class education and the positive results I was seeing in my children. ABC has a proven track record. Where do I go now, where this type of success is guaranteed?”
Other parents said they understand the need for the city’s planning policies, but question why families were not given earlier notice about the school’s long-term status and why no transition strategy was put in place before enforcement action began.
Among the questions being raised are what changed in the city’s position after decades of approvals, whether alternative planning options remain available, and what consultation occurred with families before the decision was made.
For now, families remain in limbo as they await clarity on whether the school can continue operating beyond June and what options may exist to keep the educational institution open.
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